[Expired][AK, NY, OH, ID, IN, ME, MI, OR, PA, UT & VT] KeyBank $300 Checking Bonus

10/02/18: Bonus has expired and is no longer valid. View the best current deals here.

Bonus was expired from September 2nd until September 19th, it’s now live again. I wouldn’t rely on it lasting until December 28th though.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $300
  • Availability: Offer available in the following markets ONLY: Alaska, Central NY, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Hudson Valley, Idaho, Indiana (Central and Northern), Maine, Michigan, Northern Northwest Ohio, Oregon, Philadelphia PA, Utah, Vermont
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+ required
  • Additional requirements: Use promo code
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: Mixed DP, most likely does. Also reports of being ChexSystems sensitive.
  • Credit card funding: Up to $100
  • Monthly fees: $7 avoidable
  • Early account termination fee: $25, 180 days
  • Household limit: None
  • Expiration date: December 28th, 2018

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • KeyBank is offering a bonus of $300 when you open a new eligible checking account and complete the following requirements:
    • Receive a single direct deposit of $500+

The Fine Print

  • Offer available in the following markets ONLY: Alaska, Central NY, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Hudson Valley, Idaho, Indiana (Central and Northern), Maine, Michigan, Northern Northwest Ohio, Oregon, Philadelphia PA, Utah, Vermont
  • You must open a Key Express Checking® Account (this is the basic banking account in NY), Key Advantage® Checking Account, Key Privilege® Checking Account, or Key Privilege Select Checking® Account by 12/28/18 and make ONE single KeyBank direct deposit of $500 or more within 60 days after account opening to get $300.
  • Direct deposit transactions are limited to: payroll, Social Security, pension and government benefits. Accounts titled as Trust Accounts, Estate, and No Access are excluded from eligibility.
  • Employees of KeyBank, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not eligible for this offer. Offer/Reservation number cannot be sold and is required to qualify. Limit one gift per qualifying account.
  • Limit one gift per individual.
  • The value of your gift will be reported on Form 1099-INT and deposited into your account within 90 days of meeting requirements.
  • If you close your account within 180 days of account opening, you will be charged a $25 account early closure fee
  • Offer not available to individuals who have had a KeyBank checking account or a KeyBank Hassle-Free Account® in the last 12 months.
  • Accounts overdrawn or closed at the time of gift payment are not eligible.
  • Offer is subject to cancellation without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.
  • KeyBank is not responsible for and will not honor promotional offers that appear on third-party websites that are not authorized by KeyBank.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

The $7 monthly fee on this account is waived if you do either of the following each statement cycle:

  • Direct deposits of at least $500
  • At least 8 customer initiated transactions (any deposits, withdrawals, which includes transfers)

Early Account Termination Fee

If you close your account within 180 days, you are required to pay an early account closure fee of $25

KeyBank Relationship Rewards Membership Fee $30

This is optional so make sure you opt out of it.

Our Verdict

KeyBank frequently has bonuses, the best bonuses are when you get $300 and can open the express checking account to get the bonus. This is the case with this bonus thankfully. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a bonus as good as this from KeyBank so I’m really happy to see it make a come back. I’ll definitely be adding this to the best checking bonus page as it’s well worth doing if you live in the targeted area.

Big thanks to reader, Justin P who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On September 20, 2018, 10:00

View Comments (104)

  • FYI Key accounts can no longer be downgraded into hassle free accounts. (HUCAd 3X) And it's a pain to keep the express fee-free as there's no minimum balance that will waive the fee. I'll prob try to quickpay in $500 every statement cycle and after 6 months I'll close it.

    • I set up a $1 automatic transfer twice per week. Per the terms, that should waive the fee (8+ transactions per statement cycle).

  • Not sure if anyone else will be in this situation, but I already emailed myself the Reservation Code using their site a week ago, and was still able to use it to sign up today, even though the promo is "expired".

  • It appears the bonus is over. The link states, "That offer has ended, but it’s never too late to take the next step toward making financial progress."

  • I think this is dead again... Clicked on the link and page pops up that says the offer has ended

  • "Avoid Monthly Maintenance Service Charges :
    Have deposits (including transfers to this Account) totaling $500.00 or more credited......."

  • Just spoke to one of their agents on the phone trying to use code EDGT0718. They said they don't have any offers in my region currently (Indiana) and to try a local branch. In addition, I was informed that this specific code is for mailers being sent out and you need to have the res # on the mailer to apply.

  • Help
    "The Offer/Reservation Code entered is not available for the account type selected." strange
    "Key Express Checking" New York
    5 different codes tried

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